Signal-lantern.



No. 735,500. PATENTED AUG. 4, 1903.

W. S. HAMM.

SIGNAL LANTERN. APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 5, 1903.

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No. 735,500. PAT ENTED AUG. 4,1903.

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No 735,500. PATENTED'AUG. 4, 1903 v WI SI SIGNAL LANTERN.

APPLICATION FILED MAE. 5, 1903.

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Patented August 4, 1903.

OFFICE.

on H o eo, ILLINOIS, AssIeNoR To THE ADAMS AND WESTLAKE COMPANY, OF ILLINOIS.

I SIGNAL-LANTERN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters .Patent No. 735,500, datedAugust 4, 1903.

Application filed March 5, 1903.

signed for use at thefront of locomotives for.

projecting forwardly and on each side clear or colored lights intended to convey to railroad employees along theline certain definite information. I These signal-lanterns are preferably employed in pairs, one lantern on each side of the locomotive, and have therefore each two openings through which the lightrays of a lamp pass and are projected, by means of lenses'covering the openings, in advance of and to each side of the locomotive. Behind each lens are pivoted two frames, each carryinga colored glass, one of which is preferably red and the other green. Suitable mechanism operated externally of the lantern-body is provided, by means of which one or the other of the colored glasses may be interposed between the light and the lens or both colored glassesremoved, so as to display a F clear or' safety? light. A locking device also forms a feature of my iinprovement, by the-use. of which the act'of moving one of the colored glasses between the light and the lens looks the other glass in inoperative position and -so holds it until the firstmentioned glass .has been moved fro1 n;th e signaling position. It is to be understood that while this signal-lantern is particularly applicable'to locomotives its use will not be so confined, but may be employed wherever a lantern of this character can, be advantageously applied. i

For a more detailed description of this invention attention is directed to the following specification and to the drawings forming a partthereof, in which 1 1 Figure 1 represents an elevation of my improved signal-lantern; Fig. 2,21. horizontal section thereof on the line a a; Fig. 3, a similar section, on an enlarged scale, of a portion disk 10 of clear glass.

Serial No. 146,316. (No man.)

of the lantern, taken on the line b b; Fig. 4, a vertical section on the line a c of Fig. 2,- and Fig. 5 a view of the signal disks or glasses and their mountings detached from the lantern-body. Fig. 6 shows the signal disks or glasseswith a modified form of looking mechanism. Figs. 7 and 8 are sections on thellinesd d and e 6, respectively, of Fig.

6. Figs. 9, to 13, both inclusive, show the operation of the modified locking mechanism. Fig. l4 shows a further modification.

Similar numerals of reference indicate'similarparts in the respective figures.

The lantern-body (indicated by the numeral 1) contains a lamp 2, adapted to be inserted to and withdrawn from the casing 1 through an opening in the side, preferably closed by a vertically-sliding 'door 3. A

bracket 4 is riveted to one side of the body is fixed a conically-shaped thimble 9, the inner or smaller end of which is closed by a The lens-holders 5 6, shown cylindrical, may be of conical shape and support the disks 10, thus dispensing with the thimbles 9. The construction shown 1 and described is, however, preferred.

The signal-operating mechanism being the ence being usedfor each.

Secured to the lantern-body 1, at one side of the cylindrical lens-holder 6 or 7, is a box like casing 11, to which a pivot-bolt 12 is secured and on which the signal-glass carriers 13 and 14 are adaptedto rock. The signalglass carriers are so disposed within the body 1 that when they are raised a clear light is visible; but when oneor the other is lowered a colored light, such as redor green," is displayed. Each signal -glass carrier consists of a circular frame 15 or 16, in which a colored glass 17 or 18 is supported, and an arm 19 or 'the arms 19 or 20. The slide 23 carries a pin 25, projecting into the slot 26 of the arm 19, while a pin 27 on the slide 24 coacts with the slot 28 in the arm 20. Finger-pieces 29 30 are formed on the outer sides of the respective slides 23 24, by means of which the signal-glasses 17 18 are raised and lowered. To retain the signal-glasses in elevated position when a clear signal is to be displayed and prevent them from being accidentally lowered by shaking, rocking, or otherwise, springs 31 32, secured within the casing 11, are provided, the free ends of which are hookshaped and engage the respective pins 25 27 when the signal-glasses are raised and hold them securely in that position.

In the use of signal-lanterns having movable glasses it is important that while a signal of one color is displayed means may be provided for securely locking the other signal-glass carrier in inoperative position until the first-named signal has been carried out of range of the light from the lamp. Two equivalent forms of devices for performing this operation are shown, one being on the outside of the lantern and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, both inclusive, while the other is seen in Figs. 6 to 13, both inclusive, the locking mechanism here being inclosed by the box-like casing 11. In the first form a bar 33, centrally pivoted to the outside of the casing 11, swings freely on a pin 34 when both signal-glass carriers are in elevated or inoperative position, the finger-pieces 29 30 being substantially in the same horizontal plane beneath the bar 33. An extension 35 is formed on the finger-piece 30 to cooperate with the bar. (See Figs. 2 and 3.) When either fingerpiece is grasped and its attached slide raised to lower the signal-glass connected therewith into operative position, such finger-piece engages with and raises the end of the bar 33 above it, depressing its other end into contact with the other finger-piece, holding it in depressed position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. Any attempt to raise the depressed slide is prevented by the bearing of the bar 33 against the elevated finger-piece. Before the signals can be changed the raised fingerpiece and its slide must be lowered, after which the other slide may be elevated, the efiect of which is the bringing of a differentcolored glass in frontof the light and the tilting of the bar 33 in the opposite direction.

In the second form of lock (see Figs. 6 to 13, both inclusive) an upright spring-bar 36, secured to the floor of the casing 11, stands between the arms 19 and 20. The upper end of the spring-bar is thickened at 37, two inclined shoulders 38 39 being thus formed,

which when the spring-bar is moved to one side or the other passes over the arm 19 or 20 and holds it in depressed position. When both signal-glass holders are in the raised or inoperative position, both of the arms 19 and 20 lie just below the shoulders, as indicated in Fig. 13. When a slide-as, for instance, 24is raised, it lifts the arm 20 of the signalglass holder 16 and causes the latter to bear against the upper thickened end 37 of the spring-bar 36 and press it to one side, thus carrying the shoulder 38 over the arm 19. (See Figs. 9 and 10.) In such position the signal-glass carrier 15 is securely locked against any effort to lower it until the carrier 16 is raised to its full height, thus releasing the arm 19 from engagement with the shoulder 37. The raising of the slide 23 to lower the signal-glass 17 acts to move the springbar in the opposite direction and lock the signal-holder 16 against movement. Thus it will be seen that whenever a signal of one color is displayed it is impossible to eclipse it by one of another color. The signal-holders and locking mechanism herein described are, I believe, broadly new, and I wish to claim them irrespective of the selected form of lock, which may be variously modified Without departing from my invention.

The operation of the signal-lantern herein described will be fully understood from the foregoing description of its several parts. My invention is simple and efiective in action, not liable to breakage or disarrangement. by rough or careless usage, and in its employ ment errors known to be frequent in the use of other classes of lanterns designed for similar purposes are necessarily avoided.

I do not restrict myself to the exact details of construction, combination, and arrangement herein set forth, it being obvious that minor variations thereof not involving the exercise of invent-ion may be made by the skilled mechanic, and such departures from what is herein described and claimed not involving invention I consider as within the scope and terms of my claims. Thus in Fig. 14 means are shown for operating three signal-glass carriers 13, 14, and 14 by means of finger-pieces 29, 30, and 30, respectively, and their individual pins 25, 27, and 27. An additional slide corresponding with those,23 and 24, previously described is here shown by 24 and an additional sleeve by 22*, the arm of the signal-glass carrier 14 being indicated by 20 Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. Combined in alantern, a plurality of signal-glass holders having arms independently mounted upon a common pivot, and means, associated with said arms, whereby the movement of a signal-glass holder to operative position shall lock the other signal-glass holders in inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

2. Combinedin a lantern, a plurality of signal glass holders, arms therefor independently mounted on a common pivot, means, as-

sociated with each of said arms, for independently operating its signal-glass holder, and means adapted, when one signal-glass holder is moved to operative position, to lock the other signal-glass holders in inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

3. Combined in a lantern, a plurality of independently-movable signal-glass holders, arms therefor mounted on a common pivot, and means for independently operating each signalglass holder, and adapted, upon the movement of one signal-glass to operative position, to lock the other signal-glasses in inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

4. Combined in alantern having a plurality of independently-movable signal-glass holders mounted on a common pivot, means where by a signal-glass holder, when moved to bring its signal-glass to operative position, shall also look the other signal-glasses in inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

5. Combined in a lantern, a plurality of sig nal-glass holders, a pivot common to the several holders, a slide connected to each holder and adapted to operate the same, and means for holding each signal-glass holder in inoperative position substantially as set forth.

6. Combined in a lantern, a plurality of independently-movable signal-glass holders, a pivot common to the several holders, a'slide connected to each holder and adapted to operate the same, and means for holding each signal-glass holder in inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

7. Combined in a lantern, a plurality of independently-movable signal-glass holders, a pivot common to' the several holders, a slide for each holder operatively connected thereto by means of a pin on the slide, and means for engaging the pins whereby to hold the signal-glasses in inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

8. Combined in a lantern, a plurality of independently-movable signal-glass holders, a pivot common to the several holders, a slide for each holder operatively connected thereto by means of a pin on the slide, and a spring for each signal-glass holder having an end to engage said pin and retain said holder in inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

9. Combined in a lantern, a plurality of independentlymovable signalglass holders having arms, a pivot common to the arms of the several holders, means forindependently operating each of said holders, and means adapted to lock certain of said holders in inoperative position coincidently with the move ment of one holder into operative position, substantially as set forth.

. 10. Combined in a lantern, a plurality of independently-movable signal-glass holders, a pivot common to the several, holders, means for operating each of said holders, and means whereby the act of moving into operative position one signal-glass holder shall lock the others in inoperative position, snbstantiall as set forth.

11. Combined in alantern, a plurality of independently-movable signal-glass holders, a pivot common to the several holders, a slide operatively connected to each of said holders, and a lock for preventing more than one signal-glass from being exposed at one time, substantially as set forth.

12. Combined in a lantern, a signal-glass holder consisting of a frame for the signalglass and an arm pivoted to the lantern, a slide having a pin operatively connected to the arm of the holder, and a spring for retaining said holder in inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

13. Combined in a lantern, a plurality of signalglass holders, each consisting of a frame for the signal-glass and an arm pivoted to the lantern, an independently-operative slide for each signal-glass holder connected to its arm by means of a pin on said slide, a spring adapted to coact with each pin, and a finger-piece on each slide, substantially as set forth.

14:. In a lantern, a plurality of signal-glass holders each having an arm mounted on a common pivot, combined with a bar between the arms having oppositely-placed shoulders.

38, 39, each adapted to lock in fixed position the arm on its proximate. side when forced into engagement therewith by the movement of another arm, substantially as set forth.

1'5. Combined in a lantern, a lens-holder and lens, a lamp within the lantern, signalglasses arranged in holders having arms mounted upon a common pivot and adapted to be independently moved between the lamp and the lens, and means whereby when one signal-glass is moved into operative position, another signal-glass is caused to be locked in inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal.

WILLIAM s. HAMM. [n s.] I

In presence of- G. L. WALTERS, LOUIS O. EGGERT.

IIO 

